Badminton sees two opposing players or teams hit a shuttlecock, rather than a ball, across a high-hung net. Badminton players use rackets which are much thinner and smaller than tennis rackets.
In badminton, matches are decided over a best of three games format, with 21 points awarded in each. At the Rio 2016 Games, there will be a total of five events awarding medals: two singles (men and women) and three doubles (men, women and mixed).
A point is awarded to each player or team who wins a rally. Whoever wins the last rally will serve.
A player or team must win by two points, which may see the match extend beyond its 21 point maximum. However if the total reaches 29 points, whoever takes the 30th becomes the winner.
All competitions will have a group phase followed by playoffs until the finals.
When: Thursday August 11 to Saturday August 20 Competition: Men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, mixed doubles
Badminton in numbers
3 |
Games in a match |
21 |
Points the target |
2 |
Points is the winning margin |
30 |
Points the highest possible score |
